Vehicle lift apparatus

ABSTRACT

A lifting device for a vehicle comprises a rail chassis which can be fitted transversely across the vehicle in a luggage compartment underneath a load deck of a vehicle, and a carriage assembly which extends outwardly of the vehicle, along the chassis, the carriage assembly comprising an inner frame and an outer frame which operate telescopically in a vertical direction, to carry a load platform between a raised and lowered position, in which at lower position the load platform is at ground level, and in which at raised position, the load platform is at a same level as a passenger deck of the vehicle. The lifting device saves space, due to its vertical installation in a luggage compartment underneath a passenger deck, and is easily installed by fitment directly to the floor of the luggage compartment of the vehicle.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of vehicle lifts, such asthose used to load items, particularly although not exclusivelypassengers, into vehicles such as “hi-line” coaches, buses or railwaycoaches.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Conventional coaches and buses of the “hi-line” type, comprise apassenger deck which is positioned above the wheels of the bus usuallyat a height from the ground of up to 1.7 meters. Similarly, aconventional railway carriage has a load deck positioned over a set ofbogies which carry a set of wheels. In each case, there is a significantdistance between the load deck and the level of the ground. Theconventional “hi-line” road coach, comprises an access door for accessto the passenger deck, and a plurality of luggage compartments forstoring luggage underneath the passenger deck. For enabling access ofdisabled persons into and out of the access door, it is known to providean hydraulic lifting device which is situated in a luggage compartmentdirectly underneath the access door. The prior art lifting devicecomprises a platform which can be raised and lowered between the levelof the passenger deck and the ground, operable by a remotely locatedhydraulic power supply which produces hydraulic power from electricalpower supplied from an electrical system of the coach, and a cassettetype subframe which is mounted to the coach body, and into which theplatform retracts when not in use.

The known lifting device is installed in a luggage compartment 200underneath the passenger deck of a “hi-line” type coach or bus. Theplatform is carried by a pair of arms, one positioned at each side ofthe platform, one end of each arm attached to the platform, and anotherend of each arm attached to the sub-frame fitted in the luggagecompartment of the coach at a position approximately midway between thepassenger deck and a floor of the luggage compartment. In use, theplatform is raised between a pavement, or road surface, and thepassenger deck, so that persons in wheelchairs may mount the platformfrom the road or kerb, and the platform is then raised up to the levelof the passenger deck, whereafter the wheelchair users may roll thewheelchairs directly onto the passenger deck of the coach. The armstravel in an arc of movement between the level of the road or pavementand the level of the passenger deck, the arc of movement centered arounda level approximately midway up the luggage compartment, and between thelevel of the passenger deck and the level of the road/pavement. However,the conventional lifting apparatus has a number of drawbacks:

Firstly, because one end of each of the arms needs to be at a heightbetween the passenger deck and the road/pavement, the sub-frame needs tobe fitted more or less centrally across the luggage compartment, at aheight in the luggage compartment between the floor of the luggagecompartment and the passenger deck. The lifting apparatus effectivelyoccupies the whole of the luggage compartment, extending across thewhole length of the luggage compartment and across the width of thecoach/bus. The whole luggage space of the compartment is effectivelylost by fitment of the lifting device.

Secondly, because the sub-frame cassette is mounted more or lesscentrally in the luggage compartment, suspended in mid air between thepassenger deck and the floor of the luggage compartment, fitting of thesub-frame cassette is time consuming and difficult, since specialbrackets need to be provided for suspending the sub-frame cassette belowthe passenger deck at the appropriate height. Installation of the knownlifting apparatus can take of the order of one or two days, leading toincreased cost, and loss of the vehicle from operational service for asignificant period of time.

In GB 2224992, there is disclosed another type of vehicle lift forlifting and unlifting a load into a vehicle body. The lifting device ispositioned underneath the vehicle body and extends out from underneaththe vehicle body to a rear of the vehicle. A pair of extending armssupport a platform which is raised or lowered between the level of theground and a load platform of the vehicle body. In this case, thevehicle lift, in a stowed position, is carried underneath the vehicle ata level at or below a level of an axle of the vehicle's wheels. Theplatform is stowed such a main of a platform is substantiallyhorizontal, but tilted with respect to the ground, and is parallel to amain plane of a part of the vehicle underside. The lifting devicedisclosed in GB 2224992 is unsuitable for use as a lifting device for a“hi-line” type coach having a load deck placed at a height above anupper extremity of the wheels, and the load deck extending over the topof the wheels, because the “hi-line” coaches do not have doors at theback of the vehicle, and the lift height is too great for the device ofGB 2224992.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Specific embodiments according to the present invention aim to provide acompact lifting apparatus which is suitable for “hi-line” type coachesand railway coaches, and which is space saving compared to prior artdevices, and requires less installation time.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provideda vehicle fitted lifting device fitted into a luggage compartment havinga door and fitted substantially underneath a cabin access door, saiddevice being configured for lifting a load into and out of a vehiclecomprising a load deck, the lifting device comprising:

a platform operable to raise or lower between said load deck and a levelbeneath said load deck;

means for raising and lowering said load platform;

means for securing said load platform to said vehicle;

characterised in that said load platform is arranged to stow beneathsaid load deck such that a main plane of said load platform ispositioned transversely to a main plane of said load deck and a mainplane of said load platform is positioned transversely to a main lengthof said vehicle.

Preferably said load platform is stowed in an upright position.

Preferably said upright position is substantially vertical.

Preferably said load platform is moveable from a position underneathsaid load deck to a position outside said load deck whilst remaining inan upright position.

Preferably said means for securing said load platform to said vehiclecomprises a carriage adapted for containing said load platform in anupright position underneath said load deck.

Preferably said means for securing said load platform to said vehiclecomprises a chassis frame having first and second rail members spacedapart from each other and arranged such that in a stowed position, saidload platform is positioned between said first and second rails.

Preferably said means for raising and lowering said load platformcomprises first and second hydraulic rams.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provideda vehicle fitted lifting device fitted into a luggage compartment fittedsubstantially underneath a cabin access door, said device beingconfigured for lifting a load into and out of a vehicle load deck, saidlifting device comprising:

An elongated chassis comprising first and second rails, said chassismounted in the vehicle;

a carriage moveable along said chassis from a position underneath saidload deck to a position outside said load deck; and

a load platform;

characterised in that said load platform is moveable between an uprightstowed position, in which a main plane of said load platform ispositioned transversely to a main plane of said load deck andtransversely to a main length of said vehicle, and an operating positionin which said load platform operates to raise and lower said load.

Preferably said load platform is carried on a frame assembly, said frameassembly operating in use to raise or lower said load platform above andbelow a level of said carriage.

Preferably said chassis is adapted for mounting directly to a floor of aluggage compartment of said vehicle.

Preferably said lifting device comprises hydraulic ram means for raisingand lowering said load platform relative to said frame assembly.

Preferably said chassis is positioned substantially parallel to a mainaxel of the vehicle.

Preferably said carriage assembly extends outwardly from said luggagecompartment once said luggage compartment door is swung to an openposition.

Preferably said load platform is swung down to a deployed position, suchthat said load platform is positioned directly underneath said accessdoor.

Preferably said carriage assembly comprises first and second postmembers and inner and outer frames held between said members, thecombination of inner and outer frames extending telescopically when saidlifting device is in use.

Preferably said luggage compartment has a door.

Preferably said upright stowed position is substantially vertical.

Preferably said swinging motion is effected manually.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the invention and to show how the same maybe carried into effect, there will now be described by way of exampleonly, specific embodiments, methods and processes according to thepresent invention with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 herein illustrates in elevation view a lifting device accordingto a first specific embodiment of the present invention, when fittedinside a vehicle, underneath a load deck of the vehicle;

FIG. 2A illustrates in plan view a chassis member of the lifting device;

FIG. 2B illustrates in elevation view the chassis member;

FIG. 3A illustrates in elevation view a carriage component of thelifting device;

FIG. 3B illustrates the carriage component in plan view;

FIG. 4A illustrates an outer frame member in elevation view;

FIG. 4B illustrates the outer frame member in plan view;

FIG. 4C illustrates the outer frame in end view;

FIG. 5A illustrates an inner frame member of the lifting device inelevation;

FIG. 5B illustrates the inner frame, and a load platform in end view;

FIG. 6 illustrates in side view alternative left handed and right handedversions of the lifting device installed in a “hi-line” coach vehicle;

FIG. 7 illustrates in plan view operation of the left handed and righthanded embodiments, installed in the “hi-line” coach vehicle;

FIG. 8 illustrates in elevation the lifting device in a deployedposition, in which a load platform of the lifting device is lowered toground level;

FIG. 9 illustrates in end view the lifting device in a stowed position;

FIG. 10 illustrates a ground level roll stop assembly at a first end ofthe load platform;

FIG. 11 illustrates in plan view detail of a portion of the ground levelroll stop assembly;

FIG. 12 illustrates in elevation view a bridge plate assembly at asecond end of the load platform; and

FIG. 13 illustrates in plan view a portion of the bridge plate assembly;

FIG. 14 illustrates a further embodiment of a ground level roll stopassembly;

FIG. 15 illustrates in plan view, a portion of the ground level rollstop assembly identified in FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 illustrates, in plan view an alternative embodiment of a bridgeplate assembly at an end of the load platform; and

FIG. 17 illustrates in plan view a portion of the bridge plate assemblyidentified in FIG. 16.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

There will now be described by way of example the best mode contemplatedby the inventors for carrying out the invention. In the followingdescription numerous specific details are set forth in order to providea thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be apparenthowever, to one skilled in the art, that the present invention may bepracticed without using these specific details. In other instances, wellknown methods and structures have not been described in detail so as notto unnecessarily obscure the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 6 herein, there is illustrated a liftingapparatus and various of its constituent components according to a firstspecific embodiment of the present invention. The lifting apparatuscomprises a chassis tray 300 incorporating first and second spaced apartrails 301, 302 respectively, each rail comprising a substantially “C”shaped metal beam, the rails arranged facing opposite each other so asto enclose first and second ends of a first rectangle, said first andsecond rails rigidly mounted to a plurality of transverse base plates303-306, such that said rails and said base plates in plan viewapproximate a ladder type arrangement; a carriage 400, said carriagecomprising a tubular box section beam 401 arranged in parallel along alength of said frame and positioned between said first and second rails,and first and second spaced apart upright post members 402, 403extending transversely to said beam and rigidly attached thereto, saidfirst and second post members each having a substantially “C” shapedcross section, and facing opposite each other such as to describe firstand second ends of a second rectangle in plan view, lower ends of saidfirst and second posts rigidly secured to said beam, and upper ends ofsaid first and second posts rigidly connected together by a cross member404, the whole of said carriage being movable along a length of saidchassis said carriage being guided by phosphor bronze bushes so as toretract onto and extend out of said chassis; a frame assembly, saidframe assembly comprising an outer frame 600 operable to raise and lowerrelative to said carriage between said post members an inner frame 700operable to raise and lower relative to said outer frame, said innerframe 700 contained within said outer frame 600, said inner framecomprising first and second inner upright members 701, 702 spaced apartfrom each other and rigidly connected to each other by upper and lowerinner cross members 703, 704 respectively forming a rectangular framesection at the upper end of said inner frame, there being provided anelongate handrail 902 suitable for grasping by persons using the liftingdevice; said outer frame comprising substantially rectilinear shapeincluding first and second upright members 601, 602 and lower and uppercross members 603, 604 respectively, said outer frame assemblypositioned between said first and second post members and arranged toslide substantially vertically between a lower position in which a lowerpart of the outer frame is at a level of said beam member 401, and araised position, in which said outer frame extends to a position abovesaid beam member 401, said first and second uprights moving parallel tosaid first and second post members and engaging within an interiorsurface of said first and second post members, being slideably retainedtherebetween by a set of rollers or bearings; first and second hydraulicrams 800, 801, the first hydraulic ram 800 providing means for raisingsaid outer frame with respect to said carriage, said first ram 800having an upper end connected to said upper cross member 603 of thecarriage, and a lower end connected to a seating position 405 providedin beam 401, the first ram 800 being a single acting ram operable tourge the upper cross member 603 of the outer frame away from the beam401 thereby raising the outer frame with respect to the beam, the outerframe being lowerable by gravity and the weight of the outer frameitself and the weight of the inner frame carried by said outer frame,and said second ram 801 having an upper end connected to the crossmember 603 of the carriage, and a lower end located on a lower crossbeam 703 of said inner frame 700 the second hydraulic ram being a doubleacting ram capable of extending and retracting under hydraulic pressureto raise and lower said inner frame 700 with respect to said outer frame600, said inner frame comprising a hinged load platform 900 connected toa lower portion of said inner frame, said hinged platform 900 capable ofbeing swung between an upright position and a deployed position, asillustrated in FIG. 5B herein; and an hydraulic power supply means andcontrol unit 1000 which receives electrical power from a 12 or 24 voltDC vehicle power supply, and which provides hydraulic power for poweringcontrolled movement of the carriage and the inner and outer frames.

As shown in FIG. 5B herein, the load platform 900 is attached by hingesto said inner frame 700, such that a main plane of the load platform ismoveable between an upright, substantially vertical position 901, inwhich position the platform may be stowed, and a substantiallyhorizontal position used when operating the lifting device. The loadplatform is spring assisted for easy stowing.

The invention thus consists of a lifting device for lifting a load intoand out of a vehicle comprising a load deck, the lifting devicecomprising: a platform operable to raise or lower between the load deckand a level beneath the load deck; means for raising and lowering theload platform; means for securing the load platform to the vehicle;wherein the load platform is arranged to stow beneath the load deck suchthat a main plane of the load platform is positioned transversely to amain plane of the load deck. In the preferred embodiment, the loadplatform is stowed in an upright position. Furthermore, in a stowedposition, it is preferred that a main plane of the load platform istransverse to a main length of the vehicle.

Operation of the lifting device will now be described with reference toFIGS. 1 to 13 herein. Specific embodiments according to the presentinvention are adaptable to many different types of road or rail coach orbus vehicles of different designs within the total vertical travel limitof 1.7 m. The following operation is described with reference to aspecific installation in a “hi-line” type coach road vehicle.

Referring to FIG. 6 herein, there is shown in side elevation a rear endof a vehicle of the “hi-line” coach or bus type, the vehicle having arear axle and rear wheel set 1100, a load deck 1101 comprising aplurality of passenger seats and forming a passenger deck of thevehicle, and a passenger deck access door 1102 at a height above thelevel of the load deck 1101, for entering or exiting the vehicle. InFIG. 6, there are shown alternative positions of passenger deck accessdoor 1102, in alternative left handed and right handed embodiments of alifting device according to the present invention. Hereinafter, there isdescribed operation of a left handed version of the lifting device, butit will be understood by persons skilled in the art that operation of aright handed lifting device is a substantially mirror image of operationof the left handed embodiment, and adaptations to its construction aremade accordingly.

Underneath the load platform (cabin floor) 1101 of the vehicle, areprovided a plurality of luggage compartments 1103 to 1106. The liftingdevice is fitted into a luggage compartment 1105 substantiallyunderneath the cabin access door 1102 as shown in FIG. 6. The liftingdevice is fitted into the luggage compartment by securing the base trayof the chassis directly to a floor 1107 of the luggage compartment. Asshown in FIG. 1 adjustment of the height of the lifting device to cleara lip 1108 of the floor of the vehicle luggage bay may be made bypacking blocks of wood 1109 between the base plates of the chassis andthe floor, the blocks being cut to size depending on the type ofvehicle. A main length of the chassis 300 is positioned substantiallyparallel to a main axle of the vehicle, across a width of the vehicleluggage bay such that in use, the carriage assembly extends outwardlyfrom the luggage compartment as shown in FIG. 7, once a luggagecompartment door 1200 is swung to an open position. The load platform900 is swung down to a deployed position, such that the load platform ispositioned directly underneath the access door 1102.

A raising and lowering operation of the lifting device for lifting apassenger into and out of a passenger cabin of the vehicle will now bedescribed. In FIG. 7 at 1801 a left handed version of the device isgenerally illustrated wherein the load platform is deployed at groundlevel and at 1802 a right handed version is generally illustratedwherein the load platform is deployed at cabin level.

To deploy the lifting device, the carriage 400 is powered along thechassis 300 by a double acting hydraulic ram or linear actuator, suchthat the beam 401 extends outside of the vehicle body. The load platformis manually swung down from its upright stowed position, in which a mainplane of the platform is substantially vertical, to an operatingposition in which the main plane of the platform is substantiallyhorizontal, as shown in FIGS. 5b, 6, 7, 8 and 9 herein. By operation ofa hydraulic control, the platform is lowered, using the second hydraulicram 801 which urges the inner frame in a downward direction with respectto the outer frame, both inner and outer frames held between first andsecond post members of the carriage. In the best mode herein, the loadplatform extends to a maximum distance 42 cms. from its datum positionin which a lower extremity of the outer frame is at a same level as alower extremity of the carriage beam 401. A passenger may be moved ontothe load platform, at ground level or at pavement level. By operatingthe hydraulic control means, the second hydraulic ram 801 is actuatedwhich urges the inner 601 and 602 frame upwardly with respect to themain carriage beam 401, and consequently carrying the load platform 900until the load platform reaches a level of the load deck of the vehicle.The passenger may be moved from the load platform onto the load deck ofthe vehicle, which are now at the same level. When the load platform isat the same level as the load deck of the vehicle, the inner frameextends upwardly of the outer frame, the combination of inner and outerframe extending telescopically under control of first and second ram800, 801. The passengers may grasp the handrail 902 during raising andlowering of the platform, the handrail being secured at an upper end ofthe inner frame and extending transversely to a main length of thevehicle in use. An additional handrail is provided which folds down intothe platform tray before it is stored vertically. This hinged handrailengages itself with a spring clip onto the side of the platform on theopposite side to the main lifting frame. Hydraulic power is supplied tofirst and second rams 800, 801 by control and power unit 1000 whichoperates off a 12 or 24 volt DC power supply of the vehicle. The controlunit supplies hydraulic power to the hydraulic rams 800, 801 and alsocontrols the hydraulic rams, receiving electrical inputs from a set ofelectro mechanical sensors which detect the position of the inner andouter frames with respect to the beam 401 and upright post members 602,603 and which may also detect the position of the carriage assemblyrelative to the main chassis. The control unit may comprise aconventional micro processor unit, or conventional hard wiredelectronics for receiving signals from a hand control unit operable by acoach driver or other person.

FIG. 9 generally illustrates the possible positions of the load platform900. Platform 900 may be lowered to ground or pavement level asindicated at 1901 or may be raised to the cabin level of a “hi-line”coach or bus as indicated at 1902. The position of the load platformindicated at 1903 represents the position of the load platform at apoint between positions 1901 and 1902 when ready for vertical stowage.

Stowage of the lifting device in the vehicle, for transport with thevehicle will now be described.

To stow the lifting device prior to moving the vehicle, the loadplatform is manually swung from the horizontal position to an uprightposition, in which a main plane of the load platform remainssubstantially upright and substantially parallel to the first and seconduprights and inner and outer frames. A retaining member 1300 at an upperend of the inner frame cooperates with an engagement lug on a peripheryof the load platform, to retain the load platform in upright position.The inner and outer frames are moved to a stowage position, in whichthey are retained at a level coincident with the first and seconduprights 602, 603, and are retained within a quadrilateral described bythe first and second uprights. Positioning of the inner and outer framesmay be made automatically by the control electronics of the control unitand power pack in response to a push button signal of the coach driveror operator. The carriage, with the load platform in the upright stowedposition is then retracted by powering along the chassis, to a fullystowed position in which the carriage is positioned within a length ofthe chassis. There is provided locking means for locking the carriage tothe chassis, to avoid the carriage sliding along the chassis in responseto movements of the vehicle, and as a safety feature to avoid the beamextending outwardly from the side of the vehicle when the vehicle is inmotion. The same provision locks the carriage when in its workingposition.

As shown in plan view in FIG. 7, the platform comprises at a first side,a ground level roll stop assembly 1500, as shown in greater detail inelevation in FIG. 10, which can be folded between a stowed position 1501and an extended deployed position 1502, for providing a smoothtransition between ground level and the platform when in loweredposition at ground level, such that wheelchairs, sack wheels, or otherload devices can easily be rolled onto the platform. The double headedarrows shown on the ground level roll stop assembly for illustrativepurposes are intended to indicate movement of for example a wheelchaironto the platform and off of the platform. In FIG. 11 herein, there isshown detail of a spring arrangement for retaining the roll stopassembly in the stored position 1501, and for locking the roll stopassembly in the deployed position 1502.

At an opposite end of the load platform 900, is provided a bridge plate1600, as shown in greater detail in FIGS. 12 and 13 herein. As for theroll stop assembly described above the double headed arrows indicatemovement of a wheelchair onto and off of the platform. The bridge plateprovides a smooth transition from the load platform and an upper surfaceof the load deck or passenger deck of the vehicle, and bridges a smallgap between the vehicle load deck and the surface of the load platform,when the load platform is in the upper position adjacent the passengeraccess door. The bridge plate is foldable into a stored position inwhich the ramp clears the side of the vehicle body, when raising andlowering the platform, and is locked in that position. When in thestored position the bridge plate is held in place by a mechanical lock.

As can be seen from FIG. 7 herein, the load platform, carriage andchassis extends transversely across a width of the bus, and occupies arelatively small length of the vehicle, of the order 430 mm along thevehicle length. Since the load platform and inner and outer frames areupright within the luggage compartment, there is left space for placingluggage at the side of the lifting device when the lifting device is inthe stowed position. Thus, fitment of the lifting device in a luggagecompartment of the vehicle does not involve losing use of the whole ofthe luggage compartment for storage of luggage. The lift is providedwith an aluminum cassette which covers the top, both sides and one endwith access panel to the control unit and emergency hand pump.

Further, as the lifting device rests upon a floor of the luggagecompartment, fitment of the lifting device to the luggage compartmentinvolves securing the chassis to the floor of the luggage compartment bydirect securement, e.g. bolts. Installation of the lifting device istherefore simple and quick, involving placement of the lifting devicewithin a luggage compartment of the vehicle, drilling of necessary holesfor attachment of the chassis to the luggage compartment floor, andconnection of electrical connections to the control box. Installationtimes for installment of the present embodiment lifting device arerelatively short, of the order of 2 to 4 hours. This compares withinstallation times for prior art lifting devices in which the loadplatform is stored horizontally within a luggage bay, of the order of 1to 2 days.

A further embodiment of a ground level roll stop assembly 1601 isdetailed in elevation view in FIG. 14. The assembly comprises roll stopramp 1602 which may be deployed to a functional position as illustratedor returned to a vertical stored position as indicated substantially bythe region 1603 (Region 1603 being bound by broken lines toschematically illustrate the stored position). Movement between thestored position 1602 and stored position 1603 is effected via a hingearrangement 1604 and spring 1605 configured to substantially lockstructure 1602 either in its deployed position or its stored position.Hinge arrangement 1604 and spring 1605 are connected to a side section1606, a side section also being located on the opposite side of theground level roll stop assembly. Platform 1602 also communicates withmoveable structure 1607. Moveable structure 1607 is held to side section1606 via slot 1608 communicating with pin 1609 located on side panel1606. The slot 1608 is moveable about pin 1609 such that moveablestructure 1607 may be moved from left to right and vice versa in thediagram. Slot 1608 comprises a right angle giving rise to asubstantially horizontal slot portion 1610 and a substantially verticalslot portion 1611. Structure 1607 may be effectively moved to the rightguided by slot 1608 and also guided by moveable structure 1612.Following the deployment of plate 1602 member 1607 is additionallylocked in place by a spring loaded lock cartridge 1613. Guide member1612 is rotatable about pivot 1614 such that during the deployment ofplate 1602 member 1612 effectively forces structure 1607 into a positionsuitable for deployment of plate 1602. The position of structure 1612following deployment of plate 1602 is shown by broken lines at 1615 and1616 for example.

A plan view of the ground level roll stop assembly identified in FIG. 14is detailed in FIG. 15 which illustrates plate 1602 attached to sidepanel 1606 via a hinged arrangement 1604 and a spring structure 1605.Spring 1605 comprises a member 1617 which communicates with plate 1602.Spring arrangement member 1617 is effectively configured to retain theroll stop assembly in a stored position and also may be configured toeffect locking of the roll stop assembly in the deployed position.

As described earlier, at an opposite end of the load platform 900, isprovided a bridge plate 1600. A further embodiment of the bridge plateis illustrated in FIGS. 16 and 17. The bridge plate assembly comprisesbridge plate 1701 which in its deployed position is configured tocommunicate with the floor of a given vehicle 1702. The mechanismprovided for storage and deployment of the bridge plate assemblydetailed in FIGS. 16 and 17 is substantially similar to that describedfor the roll stop assembly as identified in FIGS. 14 and 15. The bridgeplate 1701 may be deployed as shown, or alternatively may be retractedto a storage position wherein the plate is positioned substantiallyparallel to member 1703. The retraction is effected by hinge arrangement1704 and spring arrangement 1705. Hinge arrangement 1704 and springarrangement 1705 communicate with member 1703. Member 1703 is moveablein a manner substantially similar to that described for member 1603identified in FIG. 14. Member 1703 also communicates with side panel1706 via slot arrangement 1707 which comprises a substantially verticalportion and substantially horizontal portion. Slot arrangement 1707communicates with pin 1708 forming part of the paneled wall 1706. Thusstructure 1703 is moveable substantially from the left to the right andvice versa and is substantially held in place by communicating slot 1707and pin 1708 which enable structure 1703 to also move in a generallydownwards direction during deployment or in a generally upwardsdirection during retraction. Locking spring loaded lock cartridge 1709is attached to roll stop wall 1706 and the floor of the roll stopassembly, the locking cartridge being configured to communicate (i.e.abut against) member 1703 to effect a locking action. In the lockedposition pin 1708 is substantially positioned to the far right hand ofslot 1707 and lock cartridge 1709 is effectively sprung into place toeffect its locking action upon member 1703.

A plan view of the bridge plate assembly detailed in FIG. 16 is providedin FIG. 17. The bridge plate 1701 is shown in the deployed positionattached to side panel 1706 by hinge arrangement 1704 and springarrangement 1705. Spring arrangement 1705 comprises elongate member 1707which communicates with bolt arrangement 1708 so as to effect deploymentor retraction of plate 1701. Bolt arrangement 1708 providescommunicating means for plate 1701 to attach to plate 1706. The rollstop assembly is also connected to side panel 1706 via bolt arrangement1710.

What is claimed is:
 1. A lifting device for attachment to a luggagecompartment located substantially below a cabin access door to apassenger load deck of a hi-line vehicle, wherein said lifting devicecomprises: an elongate chassis incorporating first and second spacedapart rails, said rails arranged facing opposite each other so as toenclose first and second ends of a first rectangle; and a carriagearranged in parallel along a length of said chassis and positionedbetween said first and said second rails, the whole of said carriagebeing movable along a length of said chassis rails and said carriagebeing extendible out of and retractable onto said chassis; and a frameassembly comprising an outer frame operable to raise and lower relativeto said carriage and an inner frame operable to raise and lower relativeto said outer frame, said frame assembly being configured such thatduring operation said frame assembly operates to raise and lower a loadplatform above and below a level of said carriage; and in a stowedposition a main plane of said load platform remains substantiallyupright and parallel to said inner and outer frames, said load platformbeing aligned with the direction of movement of said carriage along saidchassis; and wherein said carriage comprises a beam; and wherein saidouter frame comprises a substantially rectilinear shape including firstand second upright members and lower and upper cross membersrespectively, the outer frame assembly being positioned between firstand second post members and arranged to slide substantially verticallybetween a lower position in which a lower part of said outer frame is ata level of said beam member, and a raised position, in which said outerframe extends to a position above said beam member, said first andsecond uprights moving parallel to said first and second post members,engaging with an interior surface of said first and second post membersand being slidably retained therebetween.
 2. A lifting device forattachment to a luggage compartment located substantially below a cabinaccess door to a passenger deck of a hi-line vehicle, said liftingdevice comprising: an elongate chassis tray incorporating first andsecond spaced apart rails, each rail comprising a substantially “C”shaped beam, the rails arranged facing opposite each other so as toenclose first and second ends of a first rectangle, said first andsecond rails being rigidly mounted to a plurality of transverse baseplates; a carriage comprising a tubular box section beam arranged inparallel along a length of said chassis and positioned between saidfirst and second rails, and first and second spaced apart upright postmembers, extending transversely to said beam and rigidly attachedthereto, said first and second post members having a substantially “C”shaped cross section, and facing opposite each other such as to describefirst and second ends of a second rectangle in plan view, the lower endsof said first and second post members being rigidly secured to saidbeam, and upper ends of said first and second post members being rigidlyconnected together by a cross member, the whole of said carriage beingmovable along a length of said chassis rails and said chassis beingguided by guides configured to retract said carriage onto and extendsaid carriage out of said chassis; a frame assembly comprising an outerframe operable to raise and lower relative to said carriage between saidpost members and an inner frame operable to raise and lower relative tosaid outer frame, said inner frame being contained within said outerframe and said inner frame comprising first and second inner uprightmembers spaced apart from each other and rigidly connected to each otherby upper and lower inner cross members forming a rectangular framesection at the upper end of said inner frame, there being provided anelongate handrail suitable for grasping by persons using the liftingdevice; and said outer frame comprising a substantially rectilinearshape including first and second upright members and lower and uppercross members, said outer frame assembly being positioned between firstand second post members and arranged to slide substantially verticallybetween a lower position in which a lower part of the outer frame is ata level of said beam member, and a raised position, in which said outerframe extends to a position above said beam member, said first andsecond uprights being configured to move parallel to said first andsecond post members and engaging with an interior surface of said firstand second post members, being slideably retained therebetween by a setof rolling members; first and second hydraulic rams, the first hydraulicram being configured for raising said outer frame with respect to saidcarriage, said first ram having an upper end connected to said uppercross member of the carriage, and a lower end connected to a seatingposition provided in said beam, the first ram being a single acting ramoperable to urge the upper cross member of the outer frame away fromsaid beam thereby raising the outer frame with respect to said beam, theouter frame being lowerable by gravity and the weight of the outer frameitself and the weight of the inner frame being carried by said outerframe, and said second ram having an upper end connected to the crossmember of the carriage, and a lower end located on a lower cross beam ofsaid inner frame, the second hydraulic ram being a double acting ramcapable of extending and retracting under hydraulic pressure to raiseand lower said inner frame with respect to said outer frame, said innerframe comprising a hinged load platform connected to a lower portion ofsaid inner frame, said hinged load platform being capable of being swungbetween an upright stowed position and a deployed position such that inthe deployed position said frame assembly is configured to raise andlower said load platform above and below a level of said carriage and insaid stowed position a main plane of said load platform is positionedsubstantially parallel to said inner and outer frames; and a hydraulicpower supply means and control unit configurable for receivingelectrical power from a vehicle power supply and thereby providinghydraulic power for powering controlled movement of said carriage andsaid inner and said outer frames.